The latest mobile devices and applications are changing the way we communicate, do business, and access news and entertainment. Businesses, consumers and programmers have embraced this innovative medium, making mobile application developer one of the most demanded and fastest growing IT career paths.

Mobile developers write programs inside of a mobile development environment using the Objective C, C++, C# or Java programming languages. A mobile app developer chooses the operating system (a.k.a. mobile platform) they will develop for, such as Google's Android or Apple's iOS, then learns the programming languages and software development environment for that platform.

Currently, there are 5 major mobile platforms, each with its own core language(s) and development environment:

Businesses typically develop mobile applications for multiple platforms at once, to maximize market penetration and return on investment - so the more mobile development platforms you learn and master, the more sought-after you become as a professional mobile application developer. As you can see from the graph link above, Android & iOS dominate the market (combining for over 90% of U.S. market share), making these platforms the ideal place to focus your mobile application development education.

There are numerous mobile application developer training programs and accredited degrees that feature coursework in mobile application programming, mobile media design, app deployment & marketing for the leading mobile platforms. Compare the top-rated mobile development training programs in the U.S., Canada and online.

Mobile Application Developer Education Requirements

Most employers seek mobile application developers with at least a bachelor's degree in software engineering, mobile application development, mobile computing, computer science or a similar programming-centric field of study. Hiring managers for mobile development positions will also want to see a portfolio with samples of completed mobile applications and your best development projects. The following undergrad and graduate degree programs satisfy both of these requirements with hands-on courses wherein students create a range of applications for the leading mobile platforms, plus specialized lessons on presenting yourself as a top candidate for mobile developer positions, in which active mobile development practitioners help you assemble the apps created throughout the program into an industry-specific portfolio, resume and cover letter.

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Mobile Development Certifications

There aren't many established mobile app development certifications on the market yet, however as this space continues to grow we will see an influx of both platform-specific and platform-neutral credentials. Currently, the most marketable certifications for mobile application developers include:

Mobile App Developer Job Outlook

The mobile device market is growing at breakneck speeds. Some experts even compare the mobile movement of the 2010's to the Internet explosion of the mid 1990's. This growth is feeding the increased demand for mobile application developers. As smartphones and tablets change the way people communicate, do business, shop, and access news & entertainment, the demand for new and innovative mobile applications will continue to rise as mobile devices become more capable, and an increasing number of traditional businesses develop apps to promote their products and services. The rapid growth of mobile is creating a host of employment opportunities for both corporate and freelance mobile application developers.

According to hiring managers and IT recruiters, the demand for skilled & talented mobile application developers still far exceeds the supply. Some of the most popular industries hiring mobile app developers include video game studios, advertising and marketing firms that aim to build branded application for clients, media firms that recognize mobile as a powerful content distribution channel, government agencies and financial institutions that want to bring their core services to mobile users, software development firms and real estate agencies.

The job market for mobile application developers is expected to skyrocket by 31% from 2016 through 2026, creating over 255,000 new positions and heralding one of the decade's largest increases for any occupation (IT or otherwise). The lion's share of job opportunities will be in Android and iOS app development, as these giants represent over 90% of all mobile devices iused in the U.S.

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Subject Matter Expert Contributor

Mark Lassoff is a world-class instructor in web and mobile application development. With over a decade of experience teaching beginner to advanced software systems and application development courses for Fortune 500 companies, tech startups and everyone in between, he easily understands the impact of emerging technologies and the skills that developers need to succeed.

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